The iPhone Mom

Breaker, Breaker good buddy, here’s an app that’s got little boy written all over it. Truck Modz let’s you build your own truck and then take it for a ride down the highway. And guess what – there’s even a CB radio for your listening pleasure. The app begins with your truck a-riding down that lonesome road. Tap on the wrench in the top left corner to switch up your ride. Choose a new color for a paint job. Tap on the wheels to swap them out for some stylish new rims. Tap on the front of the truck to change the type of cab and then tap on the back to change that up too. You can mix up snow plows and dump trucks and go crazy.   When you’re done and back on the road you can tap on the CB radio icon on the bottom right of the screen. Each time you tap it you’ll hear a different trucking message.

The 3D graphics in Truck Modz are fun. You can shake your iPhone to see the truck from a different angle. The background is constantly moving and changing. You’ll drive by cows and cactus, pine trees and road signs. Your truck moves forward by default but if you swipe your finger to the right the truck will stop. Swipe to the right again and your truck will begin driving backwards. Like Mater! There are also sound effects and some driving music. And yes, one of those sound effects is the warning beeping that trucks make when they’re backing up. You wouldn’t want to hit anyone on that virtual road.

I thought this app was well put together and my son enjoyed it. I’ve got just a couple of suggestions that I think might make it a great 18 wheel hit. The first is to make the wrench and CB icons just a smidge bigger. When my son first tried to play he couldn’t figure out how to change the truck and when I first saw the wrench I thought it would take me to a settings menu. Maybe making it larger and more “cartoony” would help the kids know that’s where they need to tap. Right now when you change the colors for the truck it repaints the entire truck. It’d be fun to be able to paint the truck’s front and back separately. Finally, the included recordings are good but sometimes I found them a little hard to hear and understand. Something that would make this app a slam dunk at my house would be if the app provided a list of CB phrases and let you record yourself saying them.  My kids would think that was an absolute HOOT and I don’t think their the only ones who’d feel that way.

Lucky for you I’ve run through  my limited knowledge of what you say when you’re on the open road. Which means that I can’t think of a clever way to end this review other than “Over and Out”. Bet you’re relieved.

Price when Reviewed: $1.99

Seller: LotusLand Studios, Inc.